Free Yourself! A Comprehensive Guide to Disabling Call Forwarding on Verizon
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your phone rings, but the call goes straight to another number, or perhaps to a number you no longer use? Frustrating, isn't it? This is often the work of call forwarding, a convenient feature when intentionally set up, but a nuisance when it's no longer needed or, worse, activated without your knowledge.
Whether you've switched phones, changed your primary contact number, or simply want all calls to ring directly to your device, disabling call forwarding on Verizon is a straightforward process. This lengthy guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you regain full control over your incoming calls.
Step 1: Identify Your Call Forwarding Type (Engage User!)
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's figure out what kind of call forwarding you might have enabled. This will help us choose the most efficient method for deactivation.
Do all your calls go to another number, regardless of whether your phone rings? This is likely Immediate Call Forwarding (also known as "Always Forward").
Do calls only forward when your line is busy or when you don't answer after a few rings? This is Conditional Call Forwarding (e.g., "Forward When Busy" or "Forward When No Answer").
Are only specific numbers being forwarded, or calls at certain times? This points to Selective Call Forwarding or Scheduled Call Forwarding.
Understanding which type is active will make the deactivation process even smoother. Now, let's get to the practical steps!
Step 2: The Quickest Method: Dialing a Deactivation Code
For most Verizon users, disabling call forwarding is as simple as dialing a short code directly from your phone. This is often the easiest and fastest way to get your calls ringing back to you.
Sub-heading: *Universal Deactivation Code (73)
The primary code for turning off all types of call forwarding on Verizon is *73.
Pick up your Verizon phone. Make sure it's the phone number for which you want to disable call forwarding.
Open your phone's dialer. This is the app where you would normally make a phone call.
Dial *73.
Press the "Call" or "Send" button.
Listen for a confirmation. You should hear a series of beeps, a busy signal-like tone, or a voice message confirming that call forwarding has been successfully deactivated. The call will usually end automatically.
Sub-heading: Important Notes for *73
Coverage Area Matters: If you are outside of the Verizon wireless coverage area, dialing *73 may not work. Ensure you have a good signal.
Testing is Key: Always test after deactivating. Have a friend or family member call your Verizon number from a different phone. It should now ring directly to your device. If it still forwards, move on to the next step or try *73 again.
Landlines Too: This 73 code also applies to many Verizon landline services.
Step 3: Using Your Phone's Settings (Smartphone Specific)
If dialing *73 didn't quite do the trick, or you prefer a more visual interface, you can often manage call forwarding directly through your smartphone's settings. The exact navigation may vary slightly between Android and iPhone.
Sub-heading: For Android Devices
Open the "Phone" app. This is typically the green or blue icon with a phone receiver.
Tap the three-dot menu or settings icon. This is usually located in the top-right corner of the screen.
Select "Settings" or "Call settings." The naming might differ slightly based on your Android version and phone manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus).
Look for "Call forwarding." This option might be under "Calling accounts," "Supplementary services," or a similar category.
Tap on "Call forwarding." You will likely see different forwarding options:
Always forward: All incoming calls are redirected.
When busy: Calls are forwarded when your line is engaged.
When unanswered: Calls are forwarded if you don't pick up after a set number of rings.
When unreachable: Calls are forwarded if your phone is off or out of service.
For each active forwarding type, select "Turn off" or "Disable." If a number is listed, it means forwarding is active for that condition. Make sure to check all of them.
Confirm your selection. Your phone might prompt you to confirm the change.
Restart your device (optional but recommended). A quick reboot can help solidify the new settings.
Sub-heading: For iPhone Devices
Open the "Settings" app. This is the grey gear icon on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap on "Phone."
Tap on "Call Forwarding."
Toggle the "Call Forwarding" switch to the "Off" position. If it's green, it's enabled. Tap it to turn it off.
Wait for the setting to update. It might take a moment to register the change.
Verify. You can also check if a "Forwarding" icon (often an arrow pointing right) disappears from your status bar.
Step 4: Managing Call Forwarding via My Verizon Online
For those who prefer managing their account online, or if the device-based methods aren't working, My Verizon is another powerful tool. This method is especially useful if you don't have your phone with you or if you're troubleshooting persistent forwarding issues.
Go to the My Verizon website. Open your web browser and navigate to
www.verizon.com/myverizon Sign in to your account. Enter your User ID or mobile number and password.
Navigate to your account features/settings. The exact path might vary slightly due to website updates, but generally, you'll look for sections like:
"My Devices"
"Manage My Device"
"Calling Features"
"Set Up Call Forwarding"
You might find these under "Account" or "Plans & Services."
Locate "Call Forwarding" settings. Once you find the call forwarding section, you should see options to manage its activation and deactivation.
Disable the desired forwarding types. Look for options like "Forward All Calls," "Conditional Call Forwarding," or "Selective Call Forwarding" and ensure they are turned off. You may need to click "Save" or "Apply Changes" after making your selections.
Log out of your account. For security purposes, always log out when you're finished.
Step 5: Contacting Verizon Customer Service
If you've tried all the above methods and are still experiencing issues with call forwarding, or if you simply prefer professional assistance, contacting Verizon Customer Service is your next best step.
Gather your account information. Have your account number, primary account holder's name, and possibly your security PIN ready.
Choose your contact method:
Dial 611 from your Verizon mobile phone. This will connect you directly to Verizon Wireless customer service.
Call 1-800-922-0204 from any phone. This is the general Verizon customer service number.
Use the Verizon Live Chat feature. This can be accessed through the My Verizon website or the My Verizon app.
Reach out via social media. Verizon often has active support teams on platforms like Twitter and Facebook Messenger.
Clearly explain your issue. Inform the representative that you are trying to disable call forwarding and have tried the self-service methods. Provide them with the specific phone number you're having trouble with.
Follow their instructions. They may need to access your account remotely to disable the feature or guide you through additional troubleshooting steps.
Step 6: Verify Deactivation
Regardless of the method you used, it's crucial to verify that call forwarding has been successfully disabled.
Have someone call your Verizon number from a different phone. It should ring directly to your device.
If you have another phone, call your Verizon number yourself. Confirm that it rings on your device.
Check your phone's call settings again (if applicable). Ensure that the call forwarding options now show as "Off" or "Disabled."
If calls are still being forwarded, repeat the process, or contact Verizon Customer Service if you haven't already.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if call forwarding is active on Verizon?
You can check by dialing *#21# from your Verizon phone and pressing call. This displays the status of "Always Forward" forwarding. For other types, check your phone's call settings (Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding on iPhone; Phone app > Settings > Call forwarding on Android) or log into My Verizon online.
How to disable conditional call forwarding on Verizon?
The *73 code typically deactivates all forms of call forwarding, including conditional forwarding. Alternatively, you can disable it through your phone's call settings by individually turning off "Forward when busy," "Forward when unanswered," or "Forward when unreachable."
How to disable immediate call forwarding on Verizon?
Dialing *73 from your Verizon phone is the quickest way to disable immediate (or "Always Forward") call forwarding. You can also turn it off via your phone's call settings or through your My Verizon online account.
How to disable call forwarding if I don't have my Verizon phone?
If you don't have your phone, the best option is to log into your My Verizon account online and manage your call forwarding settings from there. If online access isn't available, you'll need to contact Verizon Customer Service directly at 1-800-922-0204.
How to disable Verizon call forwarding from another phone?
You generally cannot disable call forwarding from another phone directly by dialing a code, as the deactivation code needs to be dialed from the phone line for which forwarding is active. Your best bet is to use your My Verizon online account or contact Verizon Customer Service.
How to disable call forwarding for a Verizon landline?
For most Verizon landlines, dialing *73 from that specific landline phone will deactivate call forwarding. Listen for two short tones confirming deactivation.
*How to know if 73 worked to disable call forwarding?
After dialing *73, you should hear a confirmation tone (often two short beeps or a busy signal-like sound) or a voice message stating that call forwarding has been turned off. The most reliable way to know for sure is to call your number from another phone and confirm it rings directly to your device.
How to prevent call forwarding from being accidentally activated?
Accidental activation is less common as it usually requires dialing a specific code (*72 followed by a number) or manually enabling it in settings. Be mindful of apps or services that might request permissions related to call management, and regularly check your call forwarding settings if you suspect anything.
How to troubleshoot if call forwarding won't turn off on Verizon?
First, retry the *73 code. Then, check your phone's internal call forwarding settings for each type (Always, Busy, No Answer). Ensure your device has a good network connection. If issues persist, reset your phone's network settings (this won't erase data but resets Wi-Fi passwords, etc.), and finally, contact Verizon Customer Service for assistance.
How to get further support for Verizon call forwarding issues?
For more complex or persistent issues, contact Verizon Customer Service by dialing 611 from your Verizon phone, calling 1-800-922-0204, using their online chat support via the My Verizon website, or reaching out through their official social media channels.
